IES65980B2 - Food chopping unit - Google Patents

Abstract

A food chopping unit comprising a substantially flat chopping surface and a container means having at least one aperture therein, the unit having a configuration such that it may be placed over a sink or the like in use.

Description

FOOD CHOPPING UNIT This invention relates to a food chopping particular, it relates to a food chopping incorporating a chopping surface and a container which may be placed over a sink or the like in use.

When food such as vegetables, fruit, fish, meat, etc., is being prepared for consumption, chopping and washing of the food are frequently required. At present, the food in question is washed at a sink and drained in a suitable receptacle, such as a colander or strainer, and then transferred to a board or other suitable surface for chopping, or vice versa. It would, however, be much more convenient to have a single unit incorporating a surface on which food can be chopped and a container for washing and draining the food.

According to the present invention there is provided a food chopping unit comprising a substantially flat chopping surface and a container means having at least one aperture therein, the unit having a configuration such that it may be placed over a sink or the like in use.

The unit of the invention is preferably substantially rectangular having a first surface for chopping food and a second surface on which the food may be retained, the container means being disposed therebetween.

S6S98Q The first surface preferably includes means for facilitating the transfer of the prepared food therefrom. The second surface or a section thereof is preferably patterned, e.g. grooved, to provide a non-slip area.

The container means preferably has a base wall having a plurality of apertures and a side wall preferably comprising at least one slot.

The unit of the invention preferably comprises securement means for releasably retaining the unit over a sink in use.

The unit is preferably formed from a durable plastics material and the first and second surfaces are preferably formed integrally with the container means.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a food chopping unit according to the invention; Figure 2 is a top plan view of the unit of Figure 1; and - Figure 3 is a plan view of the underside of the unit of Figure 1.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown a food chopping unit 10 according to the invention, comprising a first substantially flat surface 11 for chopping foods, such as vegetables, fish, fruit, meat, etc., a second substantially flat surface 12 on which the food may be retained and a container 13 being disposed therebetween.

The unit 10 is preferably substantially rectangular having two opposing longitudinal sides 14 and two opposing ends 15, 16, which are each approximately one third the length of each longitudinal side 14.

The chopping surface ll preferably has a recessed section 17 which tapers towards the end 15 to facilitate the transfer of prepared food therefrom to a suitable receptacle.

The second surface 12 preferably includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced grooves 18 to prevent the food from slipping off the surface either before or after washing/chopping. It will be appreciated that the surface 12 may also be used as a chopping surface if desired.

The container 13 comprises a base wall 19 which is preferably substantially rectangular and side walls 20 extending therefrom. The base wall 19 preferably comprises a plurality of apertures 21 so that water may t be readily drained from the food after washing. Each side wall 20 advantageously includes at least one slot (not shown) to facilitate drainage.

The unit 10 preferably comprises at least one ridge 30 disposed on the underside thereof (see Figure 3) to prevent movement of the unit 10 in use. A ridge 30 is preferably provided on the underside of each of the first and second surfaces 11,12. Each ridge 30 extends between the opposing sides 14 and is substantially centrally disposed.

The unit 10 may be formed from any suitable material, preferably a durable plastics material, such as Polypropylene. The surfaces 11,12 are preferably formed integrally with the container 13.

In use, the unit 10 is placed over a sink so that the container 13 is over the sink, but preferably is not in contact with the bottom thereof. The first and second surfaces 11,12 rest on the surfaces abutting the sink. Food to be prepared can, for example, be placed on the second surface 12 before washing and draining in the container 13 and subsequent chopping on the chopping surface 11.

The invention incorporat ing is convenient thus provides a food chopping unit a chopping surface and a container which to use and can be manufactured cheaply.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment described herein which may be modified or varied without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (5)

CLAIMS: C

1. A food chopping unit comprising a substantially flat chopping surface and a container means having at least t one aperture therein, the unit having a configuration such that it may be placed over a sink or the like in use.

2. A food chopping unit as claimed in Claim 1 which is substantially rectangular in shape and has a first surface for chopping food and a second surface on which the food may be retained, the container means being disposed therebetween.

3. A chopping unit as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the first surface includes means for facilitating the transfer of the prepared food therefrom, and, preferably, the second surface or a section thereof is patterned or grooved to provide a non-slip area.

4. A food chopping unit as claimed in any of Claims 1-3 wherein the container means has a base wall having a plurality of apertures and a side wall preferably comprising at least one slot.

5. A food chopping unit substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.